Keens Korner

Keen's Korner

Saturday, February 09, 2008
Gameday in Red Deer / Playoff Bound Teams on a Roll
The Broncos are back tucked into their hotel after a pre-game skate this morning at the Centrium.

The Broncos will be hard pressed to ice a full line-up due to some injuries but it hasn't hurt their results lately or dampened the spirits at all as they chase their 9th straight win. That number that would match the longest winning streak of the season by any team in the WHL. Spokane rattled off 9 in a row earlier in the year.

The Rebels are coming in off back-to-back wins over division leaders Regina and Calgary last night. The Rebels worked hard in a 3-1 win over the Calgary Hitmen last night at the Centrium. Although outshot by a wide margin, the Rebels rode goaltender Morgan Clark to a 42 save performance. The loss ended Calgary's seven game winning streak.

Could it be another night where the Broncos start Mark Guggenberger? So far as a Bronco the 18 year old goaltender has put up some impressive numbers: 3-0, GAA: 1.50, Save% .966. Two of his three wins have been by a shutout.

I was doing some scoreboard watching last night on the way into Red Deer and it couldn't have went much worse. Moose Jaw went to overtime for a league-leading 18th time and lost to Regina in a shootout. Medicine Hat and Lethbridge needed a shootout to decide things too. Kootenay and Brandon both won a pair of close games - it was pretty much worst case scenario as far as the Broncos were concerned.

Here's an unbelievable number to chew on. Because of the point awarded to teams who lose in overtime or a shootout, teams ranked 2nd to 8th in the ultra tight Eastern Conference have picked up at least one point in 25 straight games! Ridiculous. It begs the question. Are teams playing for overtime at this stage? Teams are having a terrible time protecting a one goal lead lately. Overtime is becoming the norm. Last night 13 teams of 18 got at least a single point.

Broncos and Rebels tonight on the Eagle 94.1 FM. Pre-game show at 8pm Swift Current time, 8:30pm play-by-play.

Jon